UN Security Council Fails to Agree on Israel-Hamas War

FILED - 21 September 2023, US, New York: A general view of the UN Security Council session dealing with the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The UN Security Council is due on Monday to take up the war in Gaza once again. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
FILED - 21 September 2023, US, New York: A general view of the UN Security Council session dealing with the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The UN Security Council is due on Monday to take up the war in Gaza once again. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
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UN Security Council Fails to Agree on Israel-Hamas War

FILED - 21 September 2023, US, New York: A general view of the UN Security Council session dealing with the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The UN Security Council is due on Monday to take up the war in Gaza once again. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
FILED - 21 September 2023, US, New York: A general view of the UN Security Council session dealing with the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The UN Security Council is due on Monday to take up the war in Gaza once again. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa

The UN Security Council on Monday failed again to agree on a resolution on the monthlong Israel-Hamas war.
Despite more than two hours of closed-door discussions Monday, differences remained. The US is calling for “humanitarian pauses” while many other council members are demanding a “humanitarian cease-fire” to deliver desperately needed aid and prevent more civilian deaths in Gaza.
“We talked about humanitarian pauses and we’re interested in pursuing language on that score,” US deputy ambassador Robert Wood told reporters after the meeting. “But there are disagreements within the council about whether that’s acceptable.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier Monday told reporters he wanted an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza and a halt to the “spiral of escalation” already taking place from the occupied West Bank, Lebanon and Syria to Iraq and Yemen.
Guterres said international humanitarian law, which demands protection of civilians and infrastructure essential for their lives, is clearly being violated and stressed that “no party to an armed conflict is above” these laws. He called for the immediate unconditional release of the hostages Hamas took from Israel to Gaza in its Oct. 7 attack.
China, which holds the Security Council presidency this month, and the United Arab Emirates, the Arab representative on the council, called Monday’s meeting because of the “crisis of humanity” in Gaza, where more than 10,000 people have been killed in less than a month.
UAE Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh said all 15 council members “are fully engaged” and efforts will continue to try to narrow the gaps and reach agreement on a resolution.



Katz: Orders for Israel Army to Destroy More Bridges in South Lebanon

Israeli military vehicles are parked on the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon, March 21, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
Israeli military vehicles are parked on the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon, March 21, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
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Katz: Orders for Israel Army to Destroy More Bridges in South Lebanon

Israeli military vehicles are parked on the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon, March 21, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
Israeli military vehicles are parked on the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon, March 21, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that the army had been ordered to destroy more bridges over the Litani river being used by Hezbollah in south Lebanon and to step up the demolition of houses.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I instructed the 'army' to immediately destroy all the bridges over the Litani River that are used for terrorist activity, in order to prevent Hezbollah terrorists and weapons from moving south," Katz said in a statement.

He said the military was also instructed to "accelerate the demolition of Lebanese houses in the contact villages in order to thwart threats to Israeli communities".


Israeli Settlers Smash Cars and Set Fires in Attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank

Israeli settlers gesture during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
Israeli settlers gesture during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
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Israeli Settlers Smash Cars and Set Fires in Attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank

Israeli settlers gesture during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
Israeli settlers gesture during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma

Israeli settlers rampaged through multiple Palestinian villages overnight Saturday and into Sunday, smashing cars, setting fires and wounding several men in the latest flare-up of violence in the occupied West Bank.

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported attacks in at least six communities on Sunday. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said at least three Palestinians in the village of Jalud suffered head wounds from beatings and were hospitalized after confronting settlers, who were also reported injured.

The violence came as Israel’s government presses ahead with new settlements in the occupied West Bank. Attacks by settlers have intensified alongside a broader surge in violence since the Iran war started, said The Associated Press.

Israel’s military said it responded to Israeli civilians carrying out “arson against structures and property, as well as engaging in disturbances in the area,” but did not report any arrests or indicate whether investigations were opened.

WAFA reported attacks in the villages of Silat al Dahr and Fandaqumiya, both near Jenin; in Jalud and Salfit, both south of Nablus; and in the agricultural regions Masafer Yatta and the Jordan Valley. Homes and cars were set ablaze, Palestinians were pepper-sprayed and at least five people were wounded in the overnight assaults, which took place during the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan, the agency said.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported 25 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers and soldiers this year as of March 15. The Palestinian Authority has also documented a series of arson attacks, including on mosques, across the territory.


Israeli Military Instructed to Accelerate Demolition of More Bridges, Lebanese Homes in 'Frontline Villages'

Israeli tanks are deployed along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon, 21 March 2026. EPA/ATEF SAFADI
Israeli tanks are deployed along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon, 21 March 2026. EPA/ATEF SAFADI
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Israeli Military Instructed to Accelerate Demolition of More Bridges, Lebanese Homes in 'Frontline Villages'

Israeli tanks are deployed along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon, 21 March 2026. EPA/ATEF SAFADI
Israeli tanks are deployed along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon, 21 March 2026. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that he and the Prime Minister had instructed ‌the ⁠military to accelerate ⁠the demolition of Lebanese homes in frontline villages to ⁠end threats to ‌Israeli ‌communities.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I instructed the IDF to immediately destroy all the bridges over the Litani River that are used for terrorist activity, in order to prevent Hezbollah terrorists and weapons from moving south," Katz said in a statement.

He said the military was also instructed to "accelerate the demolition of Lebanese houses in the contact villages in order to thwart threats to Israeli communities."

Earlier,  Israel said rocket fire from Lebanon killed one person as Hezbollah said it attacked soldiers in northern Israel, the first fatality there in fire from Lebanon since the latest war erupted.